Anyone see results just from exercise?

[jweb]

Problem! I am the worlds worst dieter, if you tell me I can't eat it I will and I can't stand keeping count/track of every little thing I put in my mouth! Believe me, I know what goes in there and I try to make good choices but a traditional diet in its true form of calorie deprivation just doesn't cut it for me. So I was wondering if anybody else was out there like me and has lost weight/got into shape just by exercising more, especially with Cathe?

I've tried the Weight Watchers, Body for Life, Adkins, Joyce Vedraal etc and so on. I find I do better just by making better choices so no diet advice please, I don't want another diet!

thanks in advance for input,
Jen

 

[rmdick]

I'm with you, no "diets" please. I can't say that I saw results without paying attention to what I eat but, definitely yes, I saw results without "dieting". That's been the wonderful thing about weight training with Cathe for me. I have not been on "a diet" in over 5 years and I have lost about 25 pounds and look as though I have lost more than that because of the increased muscle mass and toning.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to find the eating plan that works FOR YOU and is something you can pretty much live with. For me, it's just trying to eat healthy foods, foods I enjoy, and stop eating when I am no longer hungry. I plan ahead so I can have healthy foods I like in the fridge, take my lunch to work, have a snack when I'm hungry, etc. Also at dinner I just put about half of what I used to on my plate and if I'm still hungry then I have a little more. When I eat out, I try to make a reasonably healthy choice most of the time and then take home part of the food because restaurants almost always serve one person enough food for two. If I'm splurging in a restaurant and having something really fattening, then I just eat part of it and leave the rest. I also never go hungry for any longer than it takes me to find a healthy snack.

I started doing this along with Cathe weight training 2 or 3 time s a week and some sort of aerobic activity 3 or 4 times a week (I walk or run) about 5 years ago. You will more than likely (if you are anything like me!) have to be VERY patient though. I did start seeing results in that my body started looking more toned and and I even dropped a clothing size but it was several months on this routine before I started dropping pounds and the weight loss was slow but it came off. I am relatively sure that, at age 48, I can probably maintain this lifestyle and keep the weight off.

Good luck and hang in there. Regular exercise (weight training and aerobic activity) along with whatever plan works for you to eat only what your body needs MOST of the time (occasional splurges are also important to be able to do this for the long haul) is about the only way to lose weight and maintain the weight loss ....

 

[Carol_is_fit]

I suppose it all depends on what you're asking. Are you happy with the way you look, but simply want to exercise more and tone up what's there, or are you trying to lose weight as well? I know there are those out there who will tell you that you can lose weight with exercise alone, but I think the majority of the people on here and on other fitness sites will tell you that diet is just as important. Programs like Physique Transformation and others will tell you diet is MORE important, and I tend to agree with their philosophy, from personal experience. Before I joined WW in April of this year and lost over 40 pounds, I tried literally for YEARS to do it with only exercise. It never worked. What you put in your mouth is just as important as how you work your body. The two go hand in hand, and from a physiological point of view, it makes perfect sense to me. Our bodies are basically chemical reactions inside. If you don't give your body the right "fuel", which is what food is meant to be, it won't run as efficiently as it can. If you believe you're making healthy choices now and are happy with the way you look, then I would say go for it and workout all you want with Cathe! You'll get great results from her workouts!! But if you want to lose weight as well, you need some sort of program which helps your metabolism accomplish that goal. You don't have to think of a healthy eating program as a "diet". It sounds more like what you're looking for is a program which lets you make healthy choices for life, and I think in the long run this is best for everyone. I never looked at WW as a "diet", because it's not. It's a way of eating for life. I know this isn't exactly what you want to hear, but I believe it's the most honest advice I can give you. Best of luck to you in whatever you choose to do! This is only my humble opinion ... of course ...

Carol

 

[jweb]

I'm with you. I believe that if all these "diets" worked than people would not be overweight. I could stand to lose 30 pounds to be at what I perceive to be my best weight. I don't eat junk food, I don't eat at fast food joints and when I do eat out it is always grilled or broiled never fried. I gained weight because I stopped exercising due to health problems and depression. I have never had to diet to lose weight because up to this point I was never overweight so its very frustrating to gain weight and try to lose it in a world of every changing diet plans. I have recently changed my eating habits to limit my bread intake and include more fruits and veggies but the exercise part still eludes me. I can't seem to get motivated. But that is another story.

Nothing against Body for life or Physique Trans. but I am not a big protein girl either and I hate the supplements, expensive and they all taste pretty nasty to me. But a person has to do what works for them.

I was just wondering if there were any other people like me who want to eat like real people and exercise and saw results. Not asking for overnight success.

I agree with what you said though and that is what I have been trying to do. So I guess we are kindred spirits!

Thanks
Jen

 

[gelfling]

Yes. What you eat is important but assuming we're not talking about a high fat, high sugar, alll junk food diet, it means little for people like me.

Food is fuel and different foods have different roles. You need protein, you need fibre, you need fats, you need minerals, vitamins and iron. Salt and sugar also play a role. I happen to enjoy eating and I love eating healthy foods. That's the way I've always been. I don't watch my portions and eat enough to feel satisified but not stuffed. Diet is a four letter word and it's banned in my house.

I have always lost weight through exercise. My eating changes naturally to accomodate my goals. I don't count calories and I don't weigh my food before I eat it so I can't give you exact quantities. What I can tell you is when I my goal is to lose weight, I exercise more. When I reach my goal size and shape (sorry I won't own any scales either!) I exercise a little less but I become more active. I feel more confident when I'm at my natural size so I do more, go out more, walk more, feel more adventurous.

If I am waylaid by injury or haven't had time to exercise, cutting back on my food does not help visibly. Exercise gives me fast and long lasting results.

However, we're all different and for a lot of people, diet *is* the most important thing for weight loss. There's also a lot of people for whom exercise is the best thing for weight loss.
ATB,
- Lisa

 

[Affirm]

I think you would see better results with a combination of healthy eating and exercise. You don't have to necessarily call it diet, but focus more making better food choices. I try to plan ahead. When I leave for work, I have a packed lunch and a packed snack. That way, I don't have to make a rush to the vending machine for an afternoon snack of snickers, chips, etc. I eat more whole wheat bread and less refined sugar or junk food. I don't call it diet, but I am seeing better results with exercise than I use to see. I love the increase muscle mass that I have experienced since starting Cathe. You will eventually figure out what works for your body. Good luck.

 

[jillybean]

I'll say this, I look decent and have shoulder and quad definition when I exercise. I look pretty darn good (if I do say so myself) and have bicep, tricep, abdominal, back, hamstring, and calf definition when I exercise and reduce caloric and fat intake. Trouble is, I haven't done the fat, caloric reduction thing for about 5 years now. C'est la vie!

 

[dani21496]

I don't really deny myself much either. I just try to watch the portion sizes. It is what I really focus on. If I'm at a restaurant, I'll order what I want but try to only eat 1/2 and then take the rest home. This seems to work pretty well for me.

 

[jweb]

Thanks everyone for your input. I was beginning to think I was the only one who didn't want to diet ( meaning calorie reduction) anymore. I agree with all of you on the good eating habits and I have been making an honest effort to improve my food choices. I also am planning to start to exercise more regularly. I can't wait to see what happens in 4-6 weeks!

Thanks again,
Jen

 

[Cruncholi]

I don't really "diet" either. I just try to eat a lot of veggies and fruits (at least 5 per day), limit white carbs/sugar and caffeine, eat lean meats, go easy on sauces (but I still eat them a little), and eat what I enjoy prepared as heathfully as possible while still tasting good. I also do not skip breakfast. My big problem is lunching out almost everyday.

I used to eat whatever I wanted (whole pint of Ben & Jerrys, fried chicken fingers, etc.) I have noticed great improvements with this approach. Since I began exercising regularly, I have lost 25 pounds and kept them off for over a year now. Good luck to you!